Sol Bellear, CEO of the Redfern Aboriginal Authority said he
was very pleased with the recent initiatives being developed in Redfern by both
the ILC and the Redfern-Waterloo Authority. “The community of Redfern
needs major initiatives like this. Resources and infrastructure can only make
Redfern a greater place to live by boosting employment and training
opportunities and most importantly, by increasing the self-esteem of the
individuals who live here. For too long Redfern has been associated with
negativity, its time all levels of government began addressing that fundamental
issue.”
The Centre will provide much needed accommodation and
training facilities for peak Indigenous sports development organisations.
National Aboriginal Sports Corporation Australia founder
David Liddiard said the new Centre will provide a reward for young Indigenous
people who have demonstrated achievements in their own communities. “This
new facility will enhance individual skills and competencies by providing
leadership opportunities for our young people so that they can return and use
these skills in their own regional and remote communities.”
The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team currently brings
over 500 Indigenous youths to Sydney
each year for rugby, golf and netball programs.
The Team will utilise the accommodation and training
facilities on site all year round. CEO, Tom Evans believes the Centre will
provide a focal point for all NSW Indigenous Sport, “a major initiative
with a true vision”.
Aboriginal owned and managed Murawina Child Care Centre will
continue to operate from the site providing affordable day care to both
Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. Tonette Simpson CEO, looks forward to
the new opportunities of an integrated facility and hopes that Murawina’s early childhood programs complement the work of
the other organisations involved in the Centre.
The Exodus Foundation Tutorial Centre will run literacy
programs for 60 Indigenous students aged between 10 and 14 from the Centre’s specially designed classrooms (see Exodus
Foundation press release for details).